SOCIAL ACTION Tikkun Olam Special Edition It is not upon you to complete the task of mending the world, nor are you free from trying to do your part. ‒Pirkei Avot, 2:21 “Who is wise? The one who learns from all people… “Who is mighty? The one who subdues the evil inclination… “Who is rich? The one who rejoices in his portion…. Who is honored? The one who honors other human beings….” Pirkei Avot 4:1 2 CONTENTS Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4 At-A-Glance ............................................................................................................................. 6 Celebrate ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Tips for a greener simcha ........................................................................................................ 8 Simcha food donations ................................................................................................... 10 Social Action at WJC ........................................................................................................................... 11 One-day Mitzvah activities ........................................................................................................ 12 Feeding the Hungry ..................................................................................................................... 14 How we can help in our community ............................................................................. 15 Some organizations working to fight hunger worldwide .................................................... 17 People to People ..................................................................................................................... 18 Chesed ................................................................................................................................................ 19 Honoring the elderly .................................................................................................. 20 Organizations working to help the elderly ..................................................................... 23 Art and Music .............................................................................................................................. 25 Art .................................................................................................................................... 26 Music ................................................................................................................................ 27 Protecting the Environment ................................................................................................ 28 Taking care of our earth ................................................................................................. 29 Recycling Electronics .............................................................................................................. 33 Animals ................................................................................................................................. 34 Donations that make a difference ................................................................................................ 37 Tips for organizing great drives ............................................................................................... 38 Organize a drive ..................................................................................................................... 39 Israel ......................................................................................................................................... 45 3 INTRODUCTION Congratulations on becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah! You are now “God’s partner” in making our world a better place, which is the focus of this handbook. This is so important for us, as Jews, that the daily prayers remind us three times a day that we are to engage in tikkun olam, the repair of the world. And how can you manage to do this when you are in school… or on a sports field, at music lessons, doing your homework or after-school events with friends? Most likely, doing a mitzvah is the furthest thing on your mind. It really isn’t hard. For example, to practice the mitzvah of “welcoming the stranger,” you might reach out to a new student, invite him or her to sit with you at lunch or introduce the person to your friends. You could even start an initiative whereby new students are matched up with a friend on their first day. This mitzvah of welcoming the stranger is mentioned in both Isaiah and Deuteronomy. Frequently asked questions ● What exactly is a mitzvah? A mitzvah is a commandment, one of the 613 found in the Torah. ● Does this handbook address all of them? No, just the mitzvah of tzedakah. ● Tzedakah means giving to charity, right? Not exactly. The word “tzedak” means justice. The justice that comes when we contribute our efforts so people are adequately fed and clothed and have shelter, when we act against discrimination and oppression, when we welcome the stranger, protect the earth, and help those less fortunate in a dignified and compassionate way. Collecting needed items or raising money for a charity that endeavors to do this is one way to perform this mitzvah. But, as you will see on the following pages, it is not the only way. ● What is chesed? Acts of chesed are deeds of loving-kindness. For example, visiting a sick friend. ● …and tikkun olam? Tikkun olam literally means to fix the world, done through the tzedakah and chesed. ● My family and I are so busy, how can we find time to this? Everyone has an extra hour or two within 7 days. Figure out when and in what ways you can commit. It can be something that is part of your routine. For example, once a week, enlist friends to join you in picking up the trash (use disposable gloves!) encountered on your way home. 4 ● Okay, how do I begin? Use this handbook to look for projects that spark your interest. If you have pursuits that are not addressed in this Mitzvah Handbook, give some thought to how you can use them in the service of making things better. For example, if your life revolves around soccer, you could organize a drive to collect both used and new soccer equipment needed by children in a residential treatment center or other facility. We hope that this handbook, with its listing of many ideas, will inspire you to make the performance of mitzvot a natural part of your life. “Deeds of kindness are equal to all the commandments.” ‒Talmud Yerushalmi, Tractate Peah 1:1 The information contained within is correct to the best of our knowledge. If you find any inaccuracies please contact Adria Pass at [email protected]. 5 AT A GLANCE… A “Adopt a Grandparent”: Be a friendly visitor to someone who wants company. B Book Drive: Organize a book drive for a clinic that services children. C Centerpieces can be made out of items that can be reused (plants, toys, CDs, books). D Donate the flowers on the bima used during your service to a shelter, nursing home or hospital. E Environmental Efforts: Get your school, synagogue or youth group involved in a project to raise awareness in the 3 R's–Reduce, Re-use and Recycle. F Food Drive: Coordinate a food drive so that WJC’s contributions to the Food Pantry are substantial. Creating a specific drive for cereals would be very helpful as it is too expensive for many families to buy. G Give a certain percentage of the total amount you received in Bar/Bat Mitzvah gifts to a worthwhile charity. H Have a tree planted in Israel in honor of each guest or each table. The Jewish National Fund (www.jnf.org) should be able to help you in this regard. I In addition to or instead of a party, volunteer your time in service of your community with your friends. J Just ask your guests to bring an item to donate to the homeless (socks, clothes, toiletries, toys). K Know what the Hispanic Resource Center does. L Leftover Food: Donate the leftover food to a food pantry or homeless shelter. M Minyan: Upon becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, attend Minyan regularly. N Nursing Home/Hospital: Bring your pet to visit. O Organize a trip with your family to a local farm, where you can help farmers pick produce. Ask the farmers to donate a percentage of the picked fruits and vegetables to a soup kitchen. P Plant a vegetable/fruit garden and donate the produce to a soup kitchen Q Question the status quo. Stand up for what you believe in. R Read to people who have difficulty seeing or are too young to read. S Shut off the lights when you leave the room. T Take your outgrown sneakers to be recycled. U Use Passover as a “Week of Simple Living.” Choose one thing to do without that week which will enable you to use fewer resources and “take up less space” in the world. V Volunteer at an animal shelter. W Walk or bicycle ride when you can. X Xerox a list of environmental tips and distribute them to neighbors and friends. Y Young children at Blythedale Children’s Hospital need video games rated E. Z Zero Waste: Learn about zero waste and what you and your family can do to be part of the solution. http://myzerowaste.com 6 Celebrate! L’Chaim 7 TIPS FOR A GREENER SIMCHA The Torah prohibits wasteful practices. Modesty in consumption is a value that Jews have held for centuries. ● As an alternative to decorating the sanctuary with flower arrangements, fill baskets with non- perishable food items and use them as decorative adornments. ● Make your